Game machine and information storage medium

A game machine including a device for printing character information, the device comprising:

• a device for communicating with a portable information storage device;
• means for receiving a charge;
• reading means for performing processing for reading out the character information stored in a portable information storage device when the charge has been paid;
• means for performing processing for printing the read character information on a material for printing;
• and
• means for performing a game computation for enabling a player to play a given accessory game during the time when the character information is being printed on a material for printing.

An arcade game machine placed in an amusement center, comprising:

• communication means for communicating information through a network;
• means for performing processing for writing information sent through the network into a portable information storage device, wherein the portable information storage device is mountable into a domestic game machine and information is transferable between the portable information storage device and the domestic game machine;
• and
• means for performing a game computation for enabling a player to play a given accessory game during the time when information received through the network is being written into the portable information storage device.

A computer-readable information storage medium used in a device for selling character information, comprising:

• information for receiving a charge;
• information for performing processing for writing the character information into a portable information storage device when the charge has been paid;
• information for performing processing for writing at least one item of the character information selected from a plurality of items of the character information at random or at random under a given condition into the portable information storage device;
• and
• information for performing a game computation for enabling a player to play a given accessory game during the time when the character information is being written into the portable information storage device.

A computer-readable information storage medium used in a device for printing character information, comprising:

• information for receiving a charge;
• information for performing processing for reading out the character information stored in a portable information storage device when the charge has been paid;
• information for printing the read character information on a material for printing;
• and
• information for performing a game computation for enabling a player to play a given accessory game during the time when the character information is being printed on a material for printing.

A computer-readable information storage medium comprising a program for realizing:

• means for communicating information through a network;
• writing means for performing processing for writing information sent through the network into a portable information storage device, wherein the portable information storage device is mountable into a domestic game machine and information can be transferred not only between the portable information storage device and an arcade game machine but also between the portable information storage device and the domestic game machine;
• and
• means for performing a game computation for enabling a player to play a given accessory game during the time when the information received through the network is being written into the portable information storage device.

A game machine including a device for selling character information, the device comprising:

• a device for communicating with a portable information storage device;
• means for receiving a charge;
• and
• writing means for performing processing for writing the character information into a portable information storage device when the charge has been paid,
• wherein said writing means performs processing for writing at least one item of the character information selected from a plurality of items of the character information at random or at random under a given condition into the portable information storage device, selects the character information to be written into the portable information storage device based on information already stored in the portable information storage device;
• and
• based on personal information of a player.

A computer-readable information storage medium used in a device for selling character information, comprising:

• information for receiving a charge;
• information for performing processing for writing the character information into a portable information storage device when the charge has been paid;
• and
• information for performing processing for writing at least one item of the character information selected from a plurality of items of the character information at random or at random under a given condition into the portable information storage device, wherein the character information to be written into the portable information storage device is selected based on information already stored in the portable information storage device and based on personal information of a player.

A game machine including a device for selling character information, the device comprising:

• a device which communicates with a portable information storage device which is a computer-readable storage device;
• a unit which receives a charge;
• a reading unit which performs processing for reading information from the portable information storage device;
• and
• a writing unit which performs processing for writing the character information into the portable information storage device when the charge has been paid,
• wherein the writing unit performs processing for writing at least one item of the character information selected from a plurality of items of the character information at random or at random under a given condition into the portable information storage device;
• and
• wherein the reading unit reads information which is already stored in the portable information storage device and the writing unit selects the character information to be written into the portable information storage device based on the information read by the reading unit.

A computer-readable information storage medium used in a device for selling character information, comprising:

• information for communicating with a portable information storage device which is a computer-readable storage device;
• information for receiving a charge;
• information for performing processing for reading information from the portable information storage device;
• information for performing processing for writing the character information into a portable information storage device when the charge has been paid;
• and
• information for performing processing for writing at least one item of the character information selected from a plurality of items of the character information at random or at random under a given condition into the portable information storage device;
• wherein information which is already stored in the portable information storage device is read out and the character information to be written into the portable information storage device is selected based on the read out information.